Gaming device for operating in a reverse payout mode and a method of operating same

ABSTRACT

A gaming device of the type wherein a play generates one of multiple possible outcomes having reverse payout information. The gaming device comprises a memory device containing a first set of data correlating possible outcomes to a first set of payouts and a second set of data correlating possible outcomes to a second set of payouts second set of data correlates a majority of outcomes to positive payouts and the first set of data correlates a majority of outcomes to other than positive payouts. The gaming device also includes a payout selector indicating which of the first set of data and the second set of data the gaming device is to access. In an alternate embodiment, the gaming device includes a memory having only the second set of data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus foroperation of a gaming device, such as a slot machine and, moreparticularly, for reverse payout play of such a gaming device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Owners and operators of gaming devices are constantly searching for newand innovative ways of attracting players to the gaming devices in orderto keep them gambling for prolonged periods of time. One factor indetermining whether a player will continue playing a gaming device isthe player's perception of the odds of winning. When a player feelslucky and perceives the odds of winning to be high, the player willlikely continue playing. On the other hand, when the player feelsunlucky and perceives the odds of winning to be low, the player willlikely stop playing or, even more troubling to the owner or operator ofthe gaming devices, travel to another casino where he perceives his oddsof winning to be better.

It is a general belief that the odds of winning at a gaming devicedepend on the past activity of the gaming device. For example, playersoften perceive the odds of winning to be greater on a slot machine thathas not recently paid out any jackpots. In gaming vernacular, such amachine is thought to be “due to hit.” Other times, such as immediatelyafter hitting a jackpot, players perceive the odds of future winnings ona particular slot machine to be low. Consequently, after winning ajackpot, a player may stop playing, thereby causing the casino owner tolose revenue. Because the player has no way to take advantage of what hebelieves to be a cold machine or cold casino, many players feel asthough they need to move to a different machine or a different casino.

Some casino games have avoided this problem by allowing the player toplace a bet either against the house or for the house. In the game ofcraps, for example, the objective of the game is for the shooter toeither win on the initial come-out throw or throw certain numbers twicebefore rolling a seven. In making a 8pass lines bet, the player isbetting that he will accomplish this objective. If he does not thinkthat he will be successful, the payer may make a ôdon t passö bet inwhich the player is effectively able to bet with the house. A playerexperiencing a run of bad luck, for example, may effectively bet withthe house by betting against himself or the shooter (with the house) beelecting to make the ôdont passö bet.

Unfortunately, no method exists which allows betting ôwith the houseöfor gaming devices. Thus, a need exists for a method of play and agaming device which encourages a player to continue playing on a gamingdevice despite feeling unlucky or perceiving poor odds of winning on agiven gaming device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problems identified above are solved and a technical advance isachieved by providing, in accordance with the present invention, agaming device which determines payouts according to an alternate, orreverse, payout table.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, a gaming device isdisclosed. The gaming device randomly generates one of many possibleoutcomes for each play. The gaming device includes a wager selectorinhibiting a wager, a memory device and a payout selector. The memorydevice stores a normal set of data correlating possible outcomes to anormal set of payout information and a reverse set of data correlatingpossible outcomes to a reverse set of payout information. The reverseset of payout information describes payouts consisting of amounts whichare less than or equal to twice said wager. The payout selectorindicates which set of data, the normal or reverse set of data, thegaming device is to access.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, a gaming device isdisclosed. Like the first embodiment, the gaming device randomlygenerates one of many possible outcomes for each play and includes awager selector indicating a wager, a memory device and a payoutselector. The memory device stores a normal set of data correlatingpossible outcomes to a normal set of payout information and a reverseset of data correlating possible outcomes to a reverse set of payoutinformation. The reverse set of data includes two subsets: a firstsubset of outcomes which correspond to payout information describingpositive payout amounts in both the normal and reverse sets of data anda second subset of outcomes which correspond to payout informationdescribing payouts consisting of amounts which are less than or equal totwice the wager. The payout selector indicates which set of data, thenormal or reverse set of data, the gaming device is to access.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, a gaming device isdisclosed. The gaming device randomly generates one of many possibleoutcomes for each play and includes a wager selector indicating a wager,a memory device and a payout selector. The memory device stores a normalset of data correlating possible outcomes to a normal set of payoutinformation and a reverse set of data correlating possible outcomes to areverse set of payout information. The reverse set of data describeswinning outcomes and losing outcomes wherein the ratio of winningoutcomes to losing outcomes is greater than one.

In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a method is disclosedfor operating a gaming device. The method includes the steps ofidentifying a wager, storing a normal set of data correlating possibleoutcomes to a normal set of payout information, and storing a reverseset of data correlating possible outcomes to a reverse set of payoutinformation. The reverse set of payout information describes payoutsconsisting of amounts which are less than or equal to twice the wager.The method also includes the step of identifying a data set selectionindicating which set of data, the normal or reverse set of data, thegaming device is to access. The method further includes the steps ofgenerating a random resultant outcome and determining a resultant payoutbased on the wager, the data set selection and the resultant outcome.

Thus, the present invention provides players of gaming devices theability to select an alternate payout table based on their feeling aboutthe future outcomes to be generated by a gaming device. Moreover,operators of the subject gaming devices can retain players for a longerperiod of time by providing gaming devices employing such alternatepayout tables.

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent during thecourse of the following detailed description and by reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a slot machine according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2a is one logical representation of a normal payout table;

FIG. 2b is one logical representation of a normal payout table accordingto one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2c is one logical representation of a normal payout table accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3a is a logical representation of a reverse payout table accordingto one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3b is a logical representation of a reverse payout table accordingto one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3c is a logical representation of a reverse payout table accordingto the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3d is a logical representation of a reverse payout table accordingto one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4a is a normal payout table display of the slot machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4b is a plan view of a normal payout table enabled slot machine;

FIG. 4c is a reverse payout table display of the slot machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4d is a plan view of a reverse payout table enabled slot machine;

FIGS. 5a and 5b are flow diagrams depicting the operation of the slotmachine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an overall schematic view of a system according to analternate embodiment of the present invention, including a slot machine,a slot network server, and a cashier terminal;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the slot network server of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a logical representation of a casino player database of theslot network server of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a logical representation of the slot machine database of theslot network server of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram describing the depositing of funds for usewith the system of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is an overall flow diagram of the operation of the system ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is an overall flow diagram of an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 13a is a logical representation of a reverse payout table accordingto an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 13b is a logical representation of a reverse payout table accordingto an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed generally to a gaming device such as aslot machine, and to a method and system for playing such a gamingdevice.

Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed in greater detail with reference to the drawings. Although theembodiments discussed herein are directed to slot machines, it is to beunderstood that the present invention is equally applicable to othergaming devices, such as video poker machines, video blackjack machines,video roulette machines, video keno machines, video bingo machines, andthe like.

With reference to FIG. 1, the slot machine 100 will now be described ingreater detail. Each slot machine 100 includes a Central Processing Unit(CPU) 110, a clock 112, and an operating system 114. The CPU 110executes instructions of a program stored in either Data Storage Device124 or Read Only Memory (ROM) 116 for playing the slot machine 100. TheRandom Access Memory (RAM) 118 temporarily stores information passed toit by the CPU 110. A Random Number Generator (RNG) 120 is also incommunication with the CPU 110.

The slot machine 100 operates in both a normal payout mode and a reversepayout mode. With respect to the normal payout mode of the slot machine100, the slot machine 100 operates in a conventional manner. The playerstarts the machine by inserting a coin into a coin acceptor 148connected to the CPU 110, or using electronic credit, and activating astarting controller 122. If the player has deposited more than one coinin slot machine 100 or has accumulated credits stored in slot machine100 then he can choose the desired wager per play by pressing wagerselector 143. Under control of a program stored, for example, in a datastorage device 124 or the ROM 116, the CPU 110 initiates the RNG 120 togenerate a random number; the CPU 110 then looks up the generated randomnumber in a stored probability table 126 and finds the correspondingoutcome. The random number may be generated through digital means, orthrough physical processes. Although described as random herein, thenumber generated may be more properly understood as pseudo-random.

In the present embodiment, each of the three reels 132, 134, 136 hastwenty-two total symbols or “stops” located thereon. Therefore, giventhe three reels 132, 134, 136 there exists 10,648 (22×22×22=10,648)possible reel combinations or outcomes. A reel combination ofôCHERRY-BELL-PLUMö therefore represents an outcome. Alternatively, aseparate random number may be generated for each reel position. These10,648 plays are often referred to as the slot machine's “cycle.” RNG120 produces random numbers which are mapped onto these 10,648 possibleoutcomes, each of which has a corresponding outcome stored inprobability table 126. While each of these 10,648 possible outcomes mayhave an equal probability of selection, the present invention may alsoemploy non-uniform probabilities known in the art.

Based on the corresponding outcome, the CPU 110 locates the appropriatenumber of coins awarded in normal payout table 128 The CPU 110 alsodirects a reel controller 130 to spin reels 132, 134, 136 and to stopthem at a point where they display an outcome which corresponds to therandomly generated number. When the player wins, the machine stores thecredits in the RAM 118 and displays them in the video display area 138.The possible outcomes of slot machine 100 may be divided into subsets,with each subset representing a different ôclassö of outcome. Many slotmachines, for example, are described as having three subsets or rangesof outcomes such as high-end payouts, mid-level payouts, and low-endpayouts. Non-winning payouts may form a fourth subset. High-end payoutsincorporate the top payouts of the machine, such as the top threejackpots. Another way to define the subset of high-end payouts is toinclude all payouts exceeding a fixed multiplier of the amount wagered,such as all payouts which return at least ten times the number of coinswagered. Low-end payouts typically comprise payouts of only a few coins,such as the payout for a single cherry on either the first or thirdreels. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that therecould be any number of subsets defined for a given machine.

A hopper controller 140 is connected to a hopper 142 for dispensingcoins. When the player requests to cash out by pushing a button (notshown) on the slot machine 100, the CPU 110 checks the RAM 118 to see ifthe player has any credit and, if so, signals the hopper controller 140to release an appropriate number of coins into a payout tray (notshown).

Also connected to the CPU 110 is a slot network server interface 150.The slot network server interface 150 provides a communication path fromthe slot machine 100 to a slot network and, subsequently, to a slotnetwork server. Thus, outcome data can be exchanged between the slotmachine 100 and a slot network server. As discussed below with regard toan alternate embodiment, the slot machine 100 includes a player trackingcard reader device 160. The player tracking card reader device 160,which is connected to the CPU 110, includes a display area 162, a keypad164, and a card reader 166. As discussed below, both the keypad 164 andthe card reader 166 are input devices that allow a player to communicatewith the slot machine 100 and by extension, the slot network server.

In alternate embodiments, the slot machine 100 does not include the reelcontroller 130 and reels 132, 134, 136. Instead, a video display area138 graphically displays representations of objects contained in theselected game, such as graphical reels or playing cards. Theserepresentations are preferably animated to display the playing activityof the selected game.

It should be noted that this invention does not require a physical slotmachine, and could instead be embodied completely in software. Such anembodiment would allow play as stand alone software running onconventional personal computers. Examples of slot machine softwareinclude Interbet software and www.interbet.com.

As noted above, the slot machine 100 selectively operates in a reversepayout mode. The reverse payout mode is initiated when a player selectsreverse play on a payout selector 144 connected to the CPU 110. As willbe appreciated by one skilled in the art, possible payout selectors 144include a button, a toggle switch, a software flag and the like. Whenreverse payout mode is selected, the slot machine 100 operates generallyas described above, with the exception that the CPU 110 locates theappropriate payout in a stored reverse payout table 146 rather than thenormal payout table 128. The payout tables represent sets of data whichcorrelate outcomes with payouts. As described in detail below withreference to FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d, a majority of theoutcomes in the normal payout tables 128a-c correspond to a losingresult for the player while in the reverse payout tables 146a-d, themajority of the outcomes correspond to a winning result. In other words,the ratio of winning outcomes to losing outcomes is greater than one inreverse payout tables 146a-d. Stated another way, the statisticallikelihood of generating any winning outcome is greater than thestatistical likelihood of generating any losing outcome. Thus, while inthe short run a predominance of losing outcomes may occur, the long runexpectation is that more winning outcomes will result. In some cases,the amounts won or lost as determined by the reverse payout tables146a-d are, at least in part, inversely proportional to the amounts wonor lost as determined by the normal payout tables 128a-c. In otherwords, for a majority of given outcomes, the greater the win asdetermined by the normal payout tables 128a-c, the greater the amountlost as determined by the reverse payout tables 146a-d.

The normal payout tables 128 will now be described with reference toFIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c. FIG. 2a depicts one logical representation of thenormal payout table 128a. In this representation, each of the 10,648random numbers, as represented in the “Random Number” field 230,corresponds to a set of reel positions representing an outcome, as shownin the “Reel 1” 232, “Reel 2” 234, and “Reel 3” 236 fields. Thus, by wayof example, random number “00006” corresponds to an outcome of“7-BAR-CHERRY.” Further, each random number (and thus outcome) alsocorresponds to a pay combination, as indicated in the “Pay Combination”field 238. Each pay combination may correspond to multiple randomnumbers and outcomes. For example, the outcome “7-BAR-CHERRY”corresponds to the pay combination “ANY/ANY/CHERRY” as does“BAR-BELL-CHERRY.” This payout table illustrates the correlation betweenthe generated random numbers, the outcomes, (the position of each of thereels 132, 134, 136), pay combinations, and the payout information.

It is to be understood that the table of FIG. 2a contains informationfrom both a probability table 126 and the normal payout tables 128b and128c, and, as such, in an alternate embodiment replaces these tables.

The normal payout table 128b of the present embodiment will now bedescribed with reference to FIG. 2b. As discussed below, the normalpayout table 128b shown is a typical 94.5% payback payout table. Inother words, statistically, the slot machine 100 will pay out 94.5% ofthe money wagered, and retain for the house 5.5% of the money wagered.In general, the normal payout table 128b correlates outcomes to payoutinformation, including the number of coins awarded and the playerwin/loss amount for a given play. It is to be understood, based on thefollowing description, that the number of coins awarded and the playerwin/loss amount are essentially alternate representations of the sameinformation.

As shown, the normal payout table 128b of the present embodiment can belogically represented by five fields of related information. The datarepresents payout information for a one coin wagered per play model. Apay combination field 210 identifies possible pay combinations to whicheach outcome can be correlated. These pay combinations include, forexample, “ANY/ANY/CHERRY” and “BAR/BAR/BAR”, for which a positive numberof coins are awarded, as indicated in the “Number of Coins Awarded”field 212. The pay combination field 210 also includes an “Other” entryfor all other combinations, representing normally non-winning outcomesfor which no payment is to be made to a player. These normallynon-winning outcomes, such as “PLUM-BELL-ORANGE,” result in no coinsawarded, as indicated in the Number of Coins Awarded field 212.

Also shown in FIG. 2b, the payout table 128b includes an “Expected Hits”field 214. The expected hits field 214 indicates the number of outcomesper cycle that correspond to a given pay combination. For example, inone cycle, outcomes corresponding to the “ANY/CHERRY/CHERRY” paycombination 210 will theoretically occur two hundred times, as indicatedin the expected hits field 214. Similarly, outcomes corresponding to the“CHERRY/ANY/CHERRY” pay combination in field 210 will theoreticallyoccur sixty-eight times in every cycle. As shown, even though both ofthese pay combinations include two “CHERRY” symbols, the expected hits214 differ. It is to be understood that the difference in the expectedhits for “ANY/CHERRY/CHERRY” and “CHERRY/ANY/CHERRY” results from thedifferent number of times cherry appears on each of the three reels 132,134, 136. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the second reel 134has more “CHERRY” stops than the first reel 132, thereby making the“ANY/CHERRY/CHERRY” pay combination more likely. This, of course,assumes that each reel stop has an equal probability of selection. It isto be understood that the present invention may also accommodate slotmachines in which each reel stop has a different probability ofselection.

The normal payout table 128b also includes a “Player win/loss” field216. While the number of coins awarded field 212 equals the totalpayout, if any, made to a player, the Player win/loss field 216represents the net change in the player's funds for each paycombination. A negative number indicates a loss by the player while apositive number indicates a win.

Further, the normal payout table 128b includes an “Expected Hits×Playerwin/loss” field 218. As implied by the name, this field represents thenumber of Expected hits 214 multiplied by the amount in the Playerwin/loss field 216 for each outcome which falls within the given paycombination. Therefore, the Expected hits×Player win/loss field 218represents, for each pay combination, the statistically expected totalamount won or lost by a player in a cycle. For example, because normallynon-winning outcomes are expected 8,570 times in each cycle, and becauseon each play a player will lose one coin (the amount wagered) playerswill theoretically lose a total of 8,570 coins in every 10,648 plays forthis particular pay combination in one cycle of plays on slot machine100.

As indicated by the information in payout tables 128a-128c, the Expectedhits 214 for all pay combinations totals 10,648. As further indicated bypayout tables 128a-128c, the total amount won or lost for all paycombinations is negative 586, representing 586 coins lost by theplayer(s) and won by the house. Thus, in a one coin wagered model, in10,648 plays, 10,648 coins are wagered, with the house retaining 586coins. In other words, the house pays 10,062 coins back to players, orabout 94.5% of the 10,648 coins wagered per each cycle, hence the 94.5%payback rate.

FIG. 2c depicts a normal payout table for a different embodiment of thepresent invention. In this embodiment the player is making the necessaryfunds available to cover the largest potential loss for one play of slotmachine 100. Because the player is only making the necessary fundsavailable, the amount stored in the Number of coins awarded field 222 isidentical to the amount stored in the Player win/loss field 226 for eachlisted pay combination. Thus, slot machine 100 does not subtract theamount wagered before each play. Instead, the net win or loss is addedto or subtracted from the players credit balance.

It is to be understood that the normal payout tables 128b and 128cdepicted in FIG. 2b and 2c include information not necessary to theoperation of the present invention. Thus, in alternate embodiments, thenormal payout tables 128b and 128c correlate only the pay combinations210,220 to either the number of coins awarded 212,222 or the Playerwin/loss 216,226. The normal payout tables 128b and 128c need notinclude the Expected hits fields 214,224 or the Expected hits × Playerwin/loss fields 218,228. These fields include information that merelydescribes, not dictates, the operation of the slot machine 100.

It is also to be understood that the normal payout tables 128b and 128cmay correlate the Number of coins awarded 214,224 and the Playerwin/loss 216,226 amounts to pay combinations for plays where other thanone coin is wagered. Thus, the normal payout tables 128b and 128c aremerely exemplary of possible normal payout tables. In this regard, analternate embodiment utilizes multiple payout tables, each containingpayout information for a different amount wagered. It is to beunderstood that in multiple coin models, there are outcomes that mayprovide a payout to the player but result in a loss. For example, whenthree coins are wagered, a payout combination may call for a payout oftwo coins, resulting in a loss of one coin for the player. In anotherembodiment, a single payout table contains the payout information foreach of the different amounts wagered.

It is further to be understood that the normal payout tables 128a-c neednot include a pay combination field at all. Rather, in an alternateembodiment, the normal payout tables 128a-c directly correlate outcomesto payout information, such as the Number of coins awarded or the Playerwin/loss amounts.

Other normal payout tables that are within the scope of the presentinvention include those having different payout amounts, different reelsymbols, and different pay combinations. In general, however, typicalnormal payout tables can be characterized in that a player wins on theoccurrence of the relatively few outcomes that are the least likely tooccur, and the amount of the win increases as the likelihood of theparticular outcome occurring decreases.

The reverse payout tables 146a-146d of the present embodiment will nowbe described with reference to FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d and continuingreference to FIGS. 2b and 2c. The reverse payout tables 146a-d areidentical in structure to the normal payout tables 128b and 128c, asdescribed in FIGS. 2b and 2c. Inherent in this structure is the numberof total possible outcomes and the corresponding pay combinations. Theyare different, however, in the data described in the Number of coinsawarded fields, 312,322,332,342 Player win/loss fields 316,326,336,346and the Expected hits×Player win/loss fields 318,328,338,348.

In general, the reverse payout tables 146a-146d can be characterized ashaving payouts which occur for the relatively numerous outcomes that arethe most likely occur, while a loss occurs for the relatively fewoutcomes that are the least likely to occur. Thus, for the majority ofoutcomes, where the normal payout tables 128b and 128c provide for azero payout or a loss, the reverse payout tables 146a-146d provide for apositive payout, or a win. Likewise, a positive payout or win in thenormal payout tables 128 correspond to a loss in the reverse payouttables 146a-146d.

The reverse payout table 146a of the present embodiment is exactly thereverse of the normal payout table 128b in that each player win/lossresult is reversed. Thus, because the normal payout table 128b favorsthe casino by about 5.5%, the reverse payout table 146a, which isexactly the opposite of the normal payout table 128c, favors the playerby about 5.5%. In other words, the reverse payout table 146a is a 105.5%payback table.

Like the normal payout tables 128a-c, the reverse payout tables 146a-dinclude a pay combination field 310 containing the same normally winningand normally non-winning pay combinations found in the normal payouttables 128. As used herein, the term “normally winning” means winning asdetermined by the normal payout tables 128. Similarly, “normallynon-winning” and “normally losing” means non-winning as determined bythe normal payout tables 128b and 128c (i.e pay combination ôOtherö).

As with the normal payout tables 128a-128c, the Player win/loss fields316,326,336,346 and the “Expected Hits × Player win/loss” fields318,328,338,348 contain the theoretical amounts won or lose per play andper cycle, respectively. However, for normally winning pay combinations,the reverse payout tables 146a-146d indicate a loss to the player, andfor normally losing pay combinations, the reverse payout tables146a-146d indicate a win for the player. In other words, the playerwin/loss amounts 316, 326,336,346 of the reverse payout tables 146a-146dmay be arrived at by multiplying each Player win/loss amount 216 of thenormal payout table 128b by negative one (“1”). Because the expectedbits 314,324,334,344 are identical to those of the normal payout tables128b and 128c, the “Expected Hits×Player win/loss” amounts 318 are thereverse of those in the normal payout tables 128b and 128c. Thus, whilethe normal payout table 128b results in the player losing 586 of the10,648 coins wagered, the reverse payout table 146a results in theplayer winning 586 coins. Thus, the slot machine 100 of the presentembodiment described in FIG. 3a becomes a 105.5% payback machine.

Because in the reverse payout table 146a depicted in FIG. 3a the Playerwin/loss amounts 316 include losses greater than one coin, the playermust place additional funds at risk. As shown in FIG. 3a, for example,the player faces a loss of ninety-nine coins if an outcome of ô7-7-7ö isproduced. As discussed below, the funds necessary to cover such lossesmay be stored credit that the player previously accumulated, a creditbalance stored in memory, additional cash fed into the machine via abill validator or the coin acceptor, funds stored on a stored value cardor ôsmart cardö, or a credit card account.

FIG. 3b depicts an alternate embodiment of the payout table 146adescribed in FIG. 3a. In reverse payout 146b the slot machine 100reduces the players credit balance by ninety-nine coins prior togenerating the outcome. Specifically, the player places ninety-ninecoins at risk. An outcome of ôOrange-Orange-Orangeö, for example,results in a payout of eighty coins, netting a to a loss of nineteencoins for the player.

Because the player faces large potential losses with reverse payouttables 146a and 146b, slot machine 100 could incorporate an insuranceprotocol in which the player deposits one coin and presses insuranceselector 145 before each spin. In the event of a jackpot, the insurancepolicy covers the amount of the loss. Multiple insurance policies arepossible, with the cost of the insurance rising with the amount ofcoverage increasing. The amount of coverage may be calculated withreference to the Expected hits×Player win/loss 318,328 in order tocapture both the frequency and magnitude of the covered payouts.

In practice, a reverse payout table that favors players, such as reversepayout tables 146a or 146b in FIGS. 3a and 3b, is probably unacceptableto the casino operator except as a restricted promotional device. Toensure that the casino, continues to make money, adjustments may be madeto the reverse payout tables so that they favor the casino. In theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 3c and 3d, the reverse payout tables 146cand 146d are adjusted so that they provide for payouts which are lessthan the total amount of coins wagered for one cycle. The reverse payouttable 146c shown in FIG. 3c includes the same fields as the reversepayout tables 146a and 146b of the prior embodiments, and the sameindividual pay combinations. Furthermore, in the embodiment of FIG. 3c,reverse payout mode requires a player to wager (and thereforepotentially lose) at least five coins while paying out only six coinsfor a normally non-winning outcome/pay combination. It should be notedthat the amount of coins wagered per play could be any number of coinsas specified by the casino operator. Although reverse payout table 146cis described using whole coins, the present invention may be practicedusing fractional coin values. Thus, for a wager of one coin, a payoutmay total only one sixth of a coin. These fractional amounts may beaccumulated in RAM 118 and paid out when a whole coin is reached.

Focusing on the “Other,” or normally losing pay combination, it isapparent that such a pay combination will theoretically hit 8,570 timesin one cycle, each time causing the player to win one coin, as depictedin the Player win/loss field 336, and awarding six coins, as depicted inthe number of coins awarded field 332. Six coins are awarded because theplayer receives the five coins that were wagered plus the one coin won.

Also shown in the Player win/loss field 336, the amount lost for each ofthe normally winning pay combinations is five coins. Because the playercan only lose what is wagered and no more, namely five coins, there isno need to place additional funds at risk. Furthermore, given the fivecoin loss for each normally winning pay combination and the one coin winfor each normally losing pay combination, the reverse payout table 146ctheoretically results in the house winning 1,820 coins of the 53,240coins wagered per cycle ({10,648 plays}×{5 coins/play}=53,240 coins). Inother words, the reverse payout table 146c is approximately a 96.5%payback table.

The reverse payout table 146d shown in FIG. 3d includes the same fieldsas the reverse payout tables 146a-146c of the prior embodiments, and thesame individual pay combinations. The reverse payout table 146d of FIG.3d, however, represents an embodiment where the player makes the fivecoins available (i.e. slot machine 100 does not reduce the playerscredit balance by the amount of the wager before each play).

During normal payout mode, the slot machine 100 provides a normal payoutdisplay 400, as shown in FIG. 4a, on the video display area 138. Thenormal payout display 400 includes a pay combination field 410 whichdisplays normally winning pay combinations. The normal payout display400 also displays payout information for each pay combination.Specifically, in the present embodiment, the payout display 400 includesthree fields of payout information, each directed to a different numberof coins wagered. The “1ST COIN” field 420 includes the number of coinsawarded when one coin is wagered, as indicated in field 212 of thenormal payout table 128b. Similarly, the “2ND COIN” field 430 includesthe number of coins awarded when two coins are wagered, and the “3RDCOIN” field 440 includes the number of coins awarded when three coinsare wagered.

FIG. 4d is a plan view of slot machine 100 in normal payout mode. Slotmachine 100 is configured for normal play as is illustrated by thenormal payout display 400 displayed in video display area 138.

During reverse payout mode, the slot machine 100 provides a reversepayout display 401, as shown in FIG. 4c, on the video display area 138.The reverse payout display 401 includes a pay combination field 411which displays normally winning pay combinations and the ôOtherö paycombination. The reverse payout display 401 also displays payoutinformation for each pay combination. Specifically, in the presentembodiment, the payout display 401 includes three fields of payoutinformation, each directed to a different number of coins wagered. The“5 COINS” field 421 includes the number of coins awarded when five coinsare wagered, as indicated in field 332 of the reverse payout table 146c.Similarly, the “10 COINS” field 431 includes the number of coins awardedwhen ten coins are wagered, and the “15 COINS” field 441 includes thenumber of coins awarded when fifteen coins are wagered.

FIG. 4b is a plan view of slot machine 100 in reverse payout mode. Slotmachine 100 is configured for reverse play as is illustrated by thereverse payout display 401 displayed in video display area 138.

The operation of the present embodiment will now be described withreference to FIGS. 5a and 5b, and with continuing reference to FIGS.1-3d. In a typical scenario, a player plays a slot machine 100, shown atstep 502, using the normal payout table 128b.

While playing the slot machine 100 in normal payout mode, the player mayaccumulate credits on the slot machine 100 by hitting one or morejackpots. Having hit a jackpot and accumulated credits, shown in step504, a player may decide that his or her “luck has run out” or themachine has 8gone cold.ö Rather than terminating play, the player mayelect to switch to a reverse payout mode in an attempt to exploit his orthe machines perceived bad luck. Thus, in step 506, the player selectsreverse payout mode on the payout selector 144 of the slot machine 100.The CPU 110 receives a signal from the payout selector 144 in step 508and accesses the reverse payout table 146c. Payout selector 144 couldalso select from among a set of possible reverse payout tables 146a-d,allowing the player a choice of different payout structures. Payoutselector 144 may also be triggered automatically by slot machine 100.For example, after winning two jackpots with normal payout table 128b,the game may automatically switch to reverse payout table 146c, or atleast indicate to the player that the option is available. Havingaccessed the reverse payout table 146c, the CPU 110 causes a reversepayout display 401 to be displayed on the video display area 138 in step510. Alternatively, the information of reverse payout table 146c couldbe displayed on the belly glass of the slot machine along with thenormal payout information as is customary for slot machines.

As further described in FIG. 5b, the player then proceeds to initiateplay of the slot machine 100 in the reverse payout mode. Specifically,in step 512, if the player has accumulated credits on the slot machine100, then the player selects the number of coins to wager. Beforecontinuing, the CPU 110 determines whether the player has enoughaccumulated credits stored to cover all potential losses, as indicatedin the Player win/loss field 336 of reverse payout table 146c. Forexample, if the maximum possible loss is ninety-nine coins, then theplayer must deposit or make available funds equivalent to the value ofthe ninety-nine coins. In one embodiment, the player merely depositsenough coins in the coin acceptor 148. CPU 110 registers how many coinshave been wagered. In step 514, the player presses the startingcontroller 122 or pulls a handle (not shown) to initiate the randomnumber generator 120 and the spinning of reels 132, 134, 136.

As shown in step 516, the results from random number generator 120 andthe probability table 126 may initiate CPU 110 to display a normallywinning outcome, such as “CHERRY-CHERRY-CHERRY” on the reels 132, 134,136. If such a normally winning outcome occurs, then, in step 518, theslot machine 100 decrements the player's stored credits based on thereverse payout table 146c. Decrementing the player's stored creditsinvolves the CPU 110 accessing the reverse payout table 146c. CPU 110proceeds to correlate the outcome, “CHERRY-CHERRY-CHERRY”, to the“CHERRY/CHERRY/CHERRY” pay combination in the pay combination field 330,and to the corresponding loss of five coins in the Player win/loss field336. Thus, in step 518, the CPU 110 adjusts the stored creditsaccordingly.

Another possibility, based upon the random number generator 120 and theprobability table 126, is that a normally losing outcome, such as“PLUM-BELL-ORANGE” may appear on the reels 132, 134, 136. The occurrenceof a normally non-winning outcome is shown as step 520. If such anormally non-winning outcome occurs then in step 522, the slot machine100 increments the players credits based on the payout information inthe reverse payout table 146c. Specifically, the CPU 110 accesses thereverse payout table 146c to identify the Player win/loss amount 336corresponding to the particular outcome and pay combination. The CPU 110proceeds to adjust the stored credits accordingly, in this exampleadding six coins to the players credit balance.

Regardless of whether a normally winning or normally losing outcomeoccurs, in step 524 the player decides whether or not to continueplaying in the reverse payout mode. If the player decides to continueplaying in a reverse payout mode, then the operation continues from step512. On the other hand, a player may decide not to continue playing inthe reverse payout mode. For example, a player may perceive his or herluck is improving or that the slot machine 100 is “due to hit” orôgetting hot.ö Thus, in step 526, rather than leaving the machine, theplayer uses the payout selector 144 to select normal payout mode.

In an alternate embodiment, the slot machine 100 includes only thereverse payout table 146c and not the normal payout table 128b. Withsuch a slot machine 100, the normally winning outcomes, although notidentified in any normal payout table, are typically pre-determined andidentified to the player in the form of a display. As in the previouslydescribed embodiment, the embodiment having only a reverse payout tablewill prevent a player from stopping play or leaving the casino based onperceived bad luck. In such an embodiment, the slot machine operates asdescribed above with reference to steps 512-524 of FIG. 5b.

An alternate embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS.6-11, and with continuing reference to FIGS. 1-3d. In general, theembodiment to be described allows a player to wager on the play of aslot machine in reverse payout mode without relying solely on creditsstored at or coins deposited into the slot machine 100. Instead, theplayer uses a player tracking card that identifies a credit balancestored by a slot network server. The information stored by the servermay include a credit balance, a credit card number, a complimentarypoints awarded total, and the like. This information is used as a sourceof funds or points for a player to wager.

More specifically, such an embodiment includes multiple slot machines100 in communication with a slot network server 600 via a conventionallocal area network (slot network) 602. The slot network 602 iscontrolled by the slot network server 600. It is to be understood thatcommunication between each slot machine 100 and the slot network server600 may also occur across a wireless network or Internet connection. Acashier terminal 612 is also coupled to the slot network server 600.

As will be discussed in greater detail below, each slot machine 100communicates outcome data to the slot network server 600. As usedherein, outcome data includes all game activity-related information,which is being passed from a slot machine 100 to the slot network server600. In the present embodiment, such outcome data includes the Number ofcoins wagered, the Player win/loss amount, and the position of the reels132, 134, 136 on the slot machine 100. Thus, outcome data includes anygiven outcome and the payout information for that outcome. As discussedbelow, in an alternate embodiment, such outcome data also includes anindication of which payout mode, either normal or reverse, the slotmachine 100 is operating in. It will be understood that the position ofthe reels 132, 134, 136 and the payout information are essentiallyalternate representations of the same data.

Because each slot machine 100 has a unique machine identification (ID)number, the slot network server 600 is able to distinguish the outcomedata as being sent from a particular slot machine 100 and to store theoutcome data with reference to that particular machine 100.

To facilitate the communication between a player, the slot machine 100and the slot network server 602, a casino typically issues a playertracking card containing player identifying information. Suchidentifying information can be any information that uniquely identifiesa player to the system and, in the present embodiment, includes theplayer identification (ID) number. The identifying information ispreferably stored on a magnetic strip on the player tracking card.

The player tracking card reader 166 reads the player identifyinginformation from the player tracking card and communicates theinformation to the CPU 110, which in turn communicates the identifyinginformation to the slot network server 600. Because the playeridentifying information uniquely identifies a given player, the slotnetwork server 600 is able to access information associated with thatplayer, such as a credit balance.

With reference to FIG. 7, the slot network server 600 will now bedescribed in greater detail. Like the slot machine 100 of FIG. 1, theslot network server 600 has a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 710. The CPU710, which has a clock 712 and operating system 714 associatedtherewith, executes instructions of a program stored in either Read OnlyMemory (ROM) 720 or Data Storage Device 740. During execution of theprogram instructions, the CPU 710 temporarily stores information in theRandom Access Memory (RAM) 730.

In order to communicate with the cashier terminal 606, the slot networkserver 600 also includes a communication port 750. The communicationport 750 is coupled to the CPU 710, as well as to the slot machinenetwork 602 and the cashier terminal 606. Thus, the CPU 710 can controlthe communication port 750 to receive and transmit information from eachslot machine 100, and the cashier terminal 606.

Additionally, the CPU 710 is coupled to a data storage device 740,having a transaction processor 742, a casino player database 744, asession database 746, a terminal database 748, and a slot machinedatabase 749. In general, the transaction processor 742 manages thecontents of the data storage device 740, and may comprise a dedicatedprocessor, or a portion of the function of processor 710.

In general, the casino player database 744 of the present embodiment, asshown in FIG. 8, includes multiple records having multiple fields ofinformation related to player identification. Specifically, the playerdatabase 744 comprises multiple records, each record being associatedwith a particular player, as identified by a player identification (ID)number. The fields within each record include: name 7440, player IDnumber 7442, player address 7443, credit card number 7445, creditbalance 7446, complimentary information 7447 (such as complimentarypoints accumulated), and player status rating 7449. Having informationrelated to one field, such as player ID number 7442, allows the slotnetwork server 600 to index all information stored in the other fieldsof that player's record.

It is to be understood that for purposes of the present embodiment, onlythe player ID number field 7442, and the credit balance field 7446 arenecessary. The remaining fields are merely representative of additionalinformation that may be stored and used for other purposes in thepresent embodiment. For example, credit card number 7445 is used forbilling purposes and address 7443 is used to mail casino promotions toplayers to incent them to return to the casino.

The slot machine database 749 relates to information concerningparticular slot machines 100. As illustrated in FIG. 9, each slotmachine 100 has an associated record in the database identified by amachine ID number, as stored in the machine ID number field 7491. Theother fields in the slot machine database 749 include: player ID number7492, payout 7494, amount wagered 7497, payout mode 7498, and payouttable identifier 7499.

Having thus described the components of the present embodiment, theoperation of the system 604 will now be described in greater detail withreference to FIG. 10, and continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 2a-c, 3a-d,5, 5b and 6-9 It is to be understood that the programs stored in ROM 720of the slot network server 600 and ROM 116 of the slot machine 100provide the function described below.

The process of adding funds to the player's credit balance 7446 will nowbe described with reference to FIG. 10. Initially, in step 1010, theplayer goes to a casino cage or slot booth and presents the playertracking card to a casino employee. The casino employee proceeds, instep 1020, to read the player identifying information, namely the playerID. The casino employee then enters the player ID and the amount offunds being deposited by the player into the cashier terminal 606.Alternatively, the player provides a credit card number to which anylosses can be charged by the casino.

In step 1030 the cashier terminal 606 transmits the player ID and theamount of funds deposited to the slot network server 600. Once theserver 600 receives the player ID and the amount of funds deposited, theserver CPU 710 causes the transaction processor 742 to access the casinoplayer database 744. More specifically, the transaction processor 742searches the casino player database 744 for the second containing thereceived player ID in the player ID field 7442. Having thus located theappropriate record, in step 1040, the transaction processor 742increments the credit balance field 7446 by the amount of fundsdeposited. Once the player database 744 has been updated, the playertakes the player tracking card back from the casino employee in step1050 and proceeds to the slot machine 100.

The player does not have to use cashier terminal 606 to add money tocredit balance 7446. Instead the player may provide money or accountdata directly into slot machine 100, which in turn transmits the creditdata to slot server 600. In such embodiments, the slot machine 100 couldbe equipped with either a smart card or credit card reader. The playeris making these funds available such that any losses sustained whileplaying the reverse mode on the slot machine 100 will be covered bythose funds prior to the actual loss. Initiation of play will now bedescribed with reference to FIG. 11 and continuing reference to FIGS. 1,7, 8 and 9.

Having thus established a credit balance 7446, the player may initiateplay of a slot machine 100. The CPU 110 transmits a signal to the slotnetwork server 100 indicating funds have been received.

As shown as step 1110, the slot machine player first inserts the playertracking card into the card reader 166. The card reader 166 thenproceeds to read the player identifying information from the trackingcard. The player identifying information, namely the player ID, iscommunicated from the slot machine 100 to the slot server 600. Uponreceiving the player identifying information, the slot server 600authenticates the information. This step, depicted as step 1112,includes the slot network server 600 searching the casino playerdatabase 744 for a record containing the received player ID in field7442. The server 600 also stores the player ID number in the field 7492of the record in the slot machine database 749. Once the slot networkserver 600 authenticates the player identifying information, the server600 may transmit a signal to the slot machine 100 acknowledging suchauthentication.

In step 1114, displayed on either display 162 or video display area 138,the player selects either normal payout mode or reverse payout mode onthe payout selector 144. This selection may be prompted by a messagefrom slot machine 100. The slot machine 100 also prompts the player toenter the amount to be wagered on the upcoming play. Specifically, asshown in step 1116, the player enters the number of coins to be wageredinto the keypad 164, or, in an alternate embodiment, a touch screen ofthe video display area 138 or use of buttons. The slot machine 100registers the amount to be wagered by the player and stores the value inthe RAM 118.

Having selected the payout mode and entered the amount to be wagered,the player presses the starting controller 122 or pulls the handle tobegin play in step 1118. As discussed above, the slot machine 100generates an outcome based upon a number randomly generated by randomnumber generator 120, the random number corresponding to a reelcombination in probability table 126. Once the slot machine 100generates an outcome, which is shown as step 1120, it determines theappropriate player win/loss amount. Specifically, in step 1122, the CPU100 accesses either the normal payout table 128c or an appropriatereverse payout table such as 146a or 146d, and correlates the outcome tothe player win/loss amount as stored in fields 226, 326, 346respectively, depending on the mode of play and the appropriate reversepayout table. It should be noted that instead of accessing the Playerwin/loss field, slot machine 100 could access the Number of coinsawarded field in the appropriate payout table to determine the payout tothe player.

The slot machine 100 transmits the number of coins awarded informationand player ID number to the slot network server 600 in step 1124. Havingreceived the Player win/loss amount and the player ID number, the slotnetwork server 600 proceeds to update the player'stored credit balance.

Updating the player's credit balance, shown as step 1126, involves theCPU 710 directing the transaction processor 742 to access the casinoplayer database 744 in order to locate the record containing thereceived player ID number in field 7442. The transaction processor 742then adjusts the value stored in credit balance field 7446 by thereceived Player win/loss amount.

Once the slot network server 600 has adjusted the player's creditbalance accordingly, operation of the system 604 may repeat from step1114 until either the server 600 determines the player has insufficientfunds stored in the credit balance 7446 to play or the player decides tostop playing and removes the tracking card from the card reader 166.

If the player stops playing and desires to cash out, the player merelygoes to the casino cage or slot booth and presents his tracking card. Aswith the depositing of funds, described above, the server 600 accessesthe player's record and adjusts the credit balance field 7446. Ratherthan incrementing the credit balance 7446, however, the slot networkserver 600 decrements the stored value by the amount dispersed by thecasino employee to the player.

An alternate embodiment employing the system 604 will now be describedwith reference to FIG. 12 and continuing reference to FIGS. 1, 2a-c,3a-d, and 7-9. In this embodiment, the slot machine 100 does not containpayout tables. Instead, the payout tables are stored in the slot networkserver 600. As noted above, the slot machine database 749 contains apayout mode 7498 which identifies what mode of play, normal or reverse,slot machine 100 is operating in. Furthermore, because the payout tablesare stored at the slot network server 600, the same payout tables may beused by multiple slot machines 100. In such an arrangement, the slotmachine database 749 would contain a payout table identifier 7499 to alocation in memory, such as the data storage device 740 or the RAM 730,where the appropriate payout table is stored. Thus, the slot machinedatabase 749 at least indirectly contains payout information.

Initially, in step 1200, the slot machine 100 transmits an indication ofthe payout mode selected by the player to the slot network server 600.The slot network server 600 stores this indication in the payout modefield 7498 of that particular slot machine's record in the slot machinedatabase 749. As with the previously described embodiments, the slotmachine 100 then generates a random number and a corresponding outcome,namely reel positions in the present embodiment, in step 1210. In step1212, the slot machine 100, having generated an outcome, transmits theoutcome to the slot server 600. Along with the outcome, the slot machine100 transmits the amount wagered and the machine ID number so that theslot server 600 can identify from which machine the outcome originated.

Once the slot network server 600 receives the outcome and amountwagered, it updates the slot machine database 749 in step 1214. Morespecifically, the slot network server 600 accesses the slot machinedatabase 749 and updates the record pertaining to the particular slotmachine 100, as identified by its machine ID number 7491, with theamount wagered 7497.

After updating the slot machine database 749, the slot server 600,proceeds to update the credit balance field 7446 in the player's recordhaving the same player ID number in field 7442 as found in the player IDnumber field 7492 of the slot machine database 749. The credit balancefield 7446 is adjusted by the player win/loss amount from theappropriate payout table.

Specifically, the server 600 determines the payout by retrieving theaddress stored in either the payout mode field 7498 or the payout tableindicator field 7499. The CPU 710 then accesses the payout table storedat the retrieved address in RAM 730 or Data Storage Device 740 and,based upon the stored outcome 7493 and amount wagered 7497, retrievesthe corresponding payout. Accessing the payout table is shown as step1216. The CPU 710 then in step 1218 causes the transaction processor 742to adjust the credit balance field 7446 by the amount of Player win/loss7494.

Once the server 600 determines the player win/loss and adjusts theplayer's credit balance 7446, the server 600 transmits the playerwin/loss amount and the new credit balance 7446 to the slot machine 100for display to the player in step 1220.

It is to be understood that reverse payout tables other than those shownin FIGS. 3a-3d are within the scope of the present invention. Such otherreverse payout tables include payout schedules which are more or lessfavorable to the player, or schedules which result in a greaterfrequency of positive payouts in exchange for larger losses for theremaining losing outcomes and are based on different amounts of coinswagered.

Alternatively, the present invention can also substitute the use ofalgorithms for reverse payout tables 146a-d. One such algorithm isapplied to the Player win/loss fields 216,226,236 of normal payouttables 128a-c, and may be stored in data storage device 124 or ROM 116of slot machine 100. The algorithm takes the normal Player win/loss216,226,236 as an input and returns the corresponding reverse Playerwin/loss 316,326,336,346. The algorithm looks like the following:

-   -   1. If the normal player win/loss is a win of greater than five        coins, then the reverse player win/loss is a loss of five coins.    -   2. If the normal player win/loss is a win of between zero and        five coins, then the reverse player win/loss is a loss of two        coins.    -   3. If the normal player win/loss is zero or a loss of some        number of coins, then the reverse player win/loss is a win of        one coin.

Another algorithm takes the Number of coins awarded 212,222,232 of oneof the normal payout tables 128a-c as an input and returns the Playerwin/loss 316,326,336,346 of one of the reverse payout tables 146a-d.

-   -   1. If the normal Number of coins awarded is greater than zero,        then the reverse Player win/loss is a loss of one fewer coins.    -   2. If the normal Number of coins awarded is equal to zero, then        the reverse Player win/loss is a win of one coin.

The above described payout results may also be produced by altering theprobability of each pay combination as depicted in any of the normalpayout tables 128a-c. In this manner, pay combinations with high ormedium payouts have their probability of hitting lowered, while paycombinations of low end payouts have their probability increased.

Another way to shift the odds in favor of the house is to alter theprobabilities of the outcomes. Specifically, the probability table 126is adjusted so that normally winning outcomes, which result in a loss tothe player, are more likely while normally non-winning outcomes, whichresult in a payout to the player, are less likely while in reversepayout mode.

It is to be understood that the normal payout tables 128a-c and thereverse payout tables 146a-d may include some of the same Playerwin/loss amounts. For example, in an alternate embodiment using thereverse payout tables of FIGS. 13a and 13b, the payout for the leastlikely outcome (and the highest jackpot)—“7-7-7”—is positive in both thenormal payout tables 128a-c and reverse payout tables 1300a-b. Byretaining the highest positive win in the reverse payout tables 1300a-b,players will be further encouraged to play the slot machine 100 inreverse payout mode knowing that winning the highest jackpot is stillpossible. Further in this regard, it is within the scope of the presentinvention to make other jackpots available in the reverse payout table1300 and to make one or more jackpots available in any of the reversepayout tables described herein.

It is also to be understood that embodiments in which players makenonmonetary wagers are also within the scope of the present invention.Thus, in one embodiment, a player wagers complimentary points, as storedin the “COMP-.INFO” field 7447 of the casino player database 744. Suchan embodiment operates similar to the system 604 described above withthe exception that the payouts relate to complimentary points, notcoins, and the “COMP.INFO” field 7447, not the credit balance field7446, is adjusted based upon the payouts. Upon a player cashing out, thecasino could convert the accumulated complimentary points into any kindof award, including free hotel rooms, dinners, tickets to shows, freeplays on a gaming device, money, and the like.

In an embodiment in which the gaming device is a video poker machine,card values represent the outcome display instead of reel symbols. Inthis game, the player receives five cards and then has the option todraw five new cards. The resulting completed hand is paid according to apayout schedule that typically rewards rare hands such as a royal orstraight flush with a large coin award. Hands like a full house or flushreceive medium payouts while a small pair or no pair hand generallyearns the player no payout at all. In a reverse payout table, playersare rewarded for low value hands. Much like lowball poker, the player isrewarded for having the worst hands.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of certainpreferred embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art are also intended to be within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventionis intended to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

1. A gaming device wherein a play generates one of multiple possibleoutcomes, the device comprising: a wager selector indicating a wager; amemory device storing a first set of data correlating possible outcomesto a first set of payout information and a second set of datacorrelating possible outcomes to a second set of payout information,said second set of data being structured such that the statisticallikelihood of generated any winning outcome is greater than thestatistical likelihood of generating any losing outcome; selector meansfor selecting either of said first set of data or said second set ofdata; an insurance selector; a random number generator for generating arandom number; said memory device also storing a third set of datacorrelating possible outcomes to insurance payout information; and aprocessor coupled to said random number generator, said memory device,said payout selector and said insurance selector, said processorconfigured to access said insurance payout information based on saidrandom number and said insurance selector.
 2. The gaming device of claim1 wherein said second set of data is structured such that thestatistical likelihood of generating any winning outcome is greater thanthe statistical likelihood of generating any outcome which results inneither win nor a loss.
 3. The gaming device of claim 1 furthercomprising: means for generating a random number wherein said randomnumber corresponds to one of said multiple possible outcomes; andprocessor means coupled to said memory means for accessing one of saidfirst set of data and said second set of data based upon said selectormeans.
 4. The gaming device of claim 1 further comprising means forreceiving payment from a player, said means for receiving coupled tosaid processor means, said processor means determining a payout based onsaid payment.
 5. A slot machine wherein a play results in one ofmultiple possible outcomes, each outcome including a plurality of reelpositions, the slot machine comprising: a memory device having payoutinformation stored therein, said payout information correlated to saidoutcomes such that each outcome in which each of the reel positionsdiffers from each other is a win for a player.
 6. The slot machine ofclaim 5 further comprising: a processor coupled to said memory deviceand configured to determine a win or loss according to the resultingoutcome and said payout information.
 7. The slot machine of claim 5wherein said payout information correlated to an outcome in which atleast two reel positions are identical describes a loss for a player. 8.A gaming device wherein a play results in one of multiple possibleoutcomes, the outcomes including normally winning outcomes and normallynon-winning outcomes, the gaming device comprising: a memory devicehaving stored therein payout information correlated to possibleoutcomes, and wherein said payout information correlates other than awin for a player to a normally winning outcome, wherein said normallywinning outcomes include outcomes in which at least two of the reelpositions are identical.
 9. The gaming device of claim 8 wherein saidpayout information correlates a win to a normally non-winning outcome.10. A gaming device operable to generate one of a plurality of possibleoutcomes for each play initiated thereon, the device comprising: meansfor storing a first payout table including a first plurality of payoutamounts, each of the first plurality of payout amounts corresponding toat least one of the plurality of possible outcomes, wherein eachpossible outcome has only one of said first plurality of payout amountsassociated therewith; means for storing a second payout table includinga second plurality of payout amounts, each of the second plurality ofpayout amounts corresponding to at least one of the plurality ofpossible outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has one of said secondplurality of payout amounts associated therewith, and wherein at leastone of the second plurality of payout amounts associated with a firstparticular outcome is greater than zero when a corresponding one of saidfirst plurality of payout amounts for the first particular outcome iszero, and wherein at least one of the first plurality of payout amountsassociated with a second particular outcome is greater than zero when acorresponding one of said second plurality of payout amounts for thesecond particular outcome is zero; and means for indicating which ofsaid first and said second payout tables the gaming device is to accessfor a play.
 11. A computer readable medium encoded with processinginstructions for implementing a method for operating a gaming device,the method comprising: storing a first payout table including a firstplurality of payout amounts, each of the first plurality of payoutamounts corresponding to at last least one of the plurality of possibleoutcomes, wherein each possible outcome has only one of said firstplurality of payout amounts associated therewith; storing a secondpayout table including a second plurality of payout amounts, each of thesecond plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of theplurality of possible outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has one ofsaid second plurality of payout amounts associated therewith, andwherein at least one of the second plurality of payout amountsassociated with a first particular outcome is greater than zero when acorresponding one of said first plurality of payout amounts for thefirst particular outcome is zero; and wherein at least one of the firstplurality of payout amounts associated with a second particular outcomeis greater than zero when a corresponding one of said second pluralityof payout amounts for the second particular outcome is zero; andreceiving an indication which of said first and said second payouttables the gaming device is to access for a play.
 12. A gaming deviceoperable to generate one of a plurality of possible outcomes for eachplay initiated thereon, the device comprising: means for storing a firstpayout table including a first plurality of payout amounts, each of thefirst plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of theplurality of possible outcomes, the first payout table having a firstpayout amount associated with a first outcome, wherein the first payoutamount is greater than zero, the first payout table further having asecond payout amount associated with a second outcome, wherein thesecond payout amount is zero, means for storing a second payout tableincluding a second plurality of payout amounts, each of the secondplurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of theplurality of possible outcomes, wherein at least one of the secondplurality of payout amounts is greater than zero when a correspondingone of the first plurality of payout amounts is zero, the second payouttable having a third payout amount associated with the first outcome,wherein the third payout amount is zero, the second payout table havinga fourth payout amount associated with the second outcome, wherein thefourth payout amount is greater than zero; and means for receiving anindication which of said first and said second payout tables the gamingdevice is to access for the play.
 13. A computer readable medium encodedwith processing instructions for implementing a method for operating agaming device, the method comprising: storing a first payout tableincluding a first plurality of payout amounts, each of the firstplurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of theplurality of possible outcomes, the first payout table having a firstpayout amount associated with a first outcome, wherein the first payoutamount is greater than zero, the first payout table further having asecond payout amount associated with a second outcome, wherein thesecond payout amount is zero; storing a second payout table including asecond plurality of payout amounts, each of the second plurality ofpayout amounts corresponding to at least one of the plurality ofpossible outcomes, wherein at least one of the second plurality ofpayout amounts is greater than zero when a corresponding one of thefirst plurality of payout amounts is zero, the second payout tablehaving a third payout amount associated with the first outcome, whereinthe third payout amount is zero, the second payout table having a fourthpayout amount associated with the second outcome, wherein the fourthpayout amount is greater than zero; and receiving an indication of whichof said first and said second payout tables the gaming device is toaccess for the play.
 14. The gaming device of claim 10, wherein thedevice is a video poker machine, the plurality of possible outcomesincluding combinations of playing cards.
 15. A gaming device comprising:a first payout table including a first plurality of payout amounts and aplurality of outcomes wherein each of the plurality of outcomes isassociated with at least one of the first plurality of payout amounts; asecond payout table including a second plurality of payout amountswherein each of the plurality of outcomes is associated with at leastone of the second plurality of payout amounts, wherein at least one ofthe first plurality of payout amounts associated with a first outcome ofthe plurality of outcomes is greater than zero if a payout amount of thesecond plurality of payout amounts associated with the first outcome iszero, and wherein at least one of the first plurality of payout amountsassociated with a second outcome of the plurality of outcomes is zero ifa payout amount of the second plurality of payout amounts associatedwith the second outcome is greater than zero; and a selector forindicating which of the first and second payout tables the gaming deviceis to use for determining a payout.
 16. The gaming device of claim 15wherein the first and second payout tables include informationcorresponding to a number of coins to be paid a player.
 17. The gamingdevice of claim 15 further including a memory for storing a wager andwherein the first and second payout tables include informationcorresponding to a multiplier by which said payout is to be multipliedbased upon the wager.
 18. The gaming device of claim 15 furthercomprising: a memory for storing the payout tables; a random numbergenerator for generating a random number; and a processor coupled to therandom number generator, the memory, and the selector, wherein theprocessor is configured to access the payout tables based on the randomnumber and the payout selector.
 19. The gaming device of claim 18further comprising: an insurance selector coupled to the processor,wherein the memory further stores data that relates outcomes of theplurality of outcomes to insurance payout information and wherein theprocessor is configured to access the insurance payout information basedon the random number and the insurance selector.
 20. A methodcomprising: selecting a wager; storing a first set of data correlatingpossible outcomes to a first set of payout information and a second setof data correlating possible outcomes to a second set of payoutinformation, said second set of data being structured such that thestatistical likelihood of generating any winning outcome is greater thanthe statistical likelihood of generating any losing outcome; selectingeither of said first set of data or said second set of data; receivingan insurance selection; generating a random number; storing a third setof data correlating possible outcomes to insurance payout information;and accessing said insurance payout information based on said randomnumber and said insurance selection.
 21. The method of claim 20 whereinstoring a second set of data includes storing said second set of datastructured such that the statistical likelihood of generating anywinning outcome is greater than the statistical likelihood of generatingany outcome which results in neither win nor a loss.
 22. The method ofclaim 20 further comprising: generating a random number wherein saidrandom number corresponds to one of said multiple possible outcomes; andaccessing one of said first set of data and said second set of databased upon a selection resulting from selecting either of said first setof data or said second set of data.
 23. The method of claim 20 furthercomprising receiving payment from a player; and determining a payoutbased on said payment.
 24. A method comprising: storing payoutinformation for slot machine outcomes, wherein outcomes include at leastone selected reel position on each of a plurality of reels, wherein thepayout information is correlated to a subset of the outcomes, andwherein the subset includes every outcome in which each selected reelposition of each reel differs from each other selected reel position ofeach other reel; and generating, via a processor, a resulting outcome.25. The method of claim 24 further comprising determining a win or aloss according to the resulting outcome and a presence or an absence ofpayout information correlated with the resulting outcome.
 26. The methodof claim 24 further comprising awarding a payout when the resultingoutcome is within the subset during play of the slot machine.
 27. Themethod of claim 24 wherein outcomes in which at least two selected reelpositions on different reels are identical indicates a loss.
 28. Amethod comprising: storing payout information correlated to possibleoutcomes, wherein outcomes include a plurality of reel positions,wherein said payout information correlates other than a win for a playerto a normally winning outcome, and wherein said normally winningoutcomes include outcomes in which at least two of the reel positionsare identical; and generating an outcome.
 29. The method of claim 28wherein said payout information correlates a win to a normallynon-winning outcome.
 30. A method comprising: storing a first payouttable including a first plurality of payout amounts, each of the firstplurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of a pluralityof possible outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has one of saidfirst plurality of payout amounts associated therewith; storing a secondpayout table including a second plurality of payout amounts, each of thesecond plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of theplurality of possible outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has one ofsaid second plurality of payout amounts associated therewith, wherein atleast one of the second plurality of payout amounts associated with afirst particular outcome is greater than zero when a corresponding oneof said first plurality of payout amounts for the first particularoutcome is zero, and wherein at least one of the first plurality ofpayout amounts associated with a second particular outcome is greaterthan zero when a corresponding one of said second plurality of payoutamounts for the second particular outcome is zero; and indicating whichof said first and said second payout tables a gaming device is to accessfor a play.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein indicating includesindicating which of said first and said second payout tables a videopoker machine is to access for a play and wherein the plurality ofpossible outcomes includes combinations of playing cards.
 32. A methodcomprising: storing a first payout table including a first plurality ofpayout amounts, each of the first plurality of payout amountscorresponding to at least one of a plurality of possible outcomes,wherein each possible outcome has one of said first plurality of payoutamounts associated therewith; storing a second payout table including asecond plurality of payout amounts, each of the second plurality ofpayout amounts corresponding to at least one of the plurality ofpossible outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has one of said secondplurality of payout amounts associated therewith, wherein at least oneof the second plurality of payout amounts associated with a firstparticular outcome is greater than zero when a corresponding one of saidfirst plurality of payout amounts for the first particular outcome iszero, and wherein at least one of the first plurality of payout amountsassociated with a second particular outcome is greater than zero when acorresponding one of said second plurality of payout amounts for thesecond particular outcome is zero; and receiving an indication which ofsaid first and said second payout tables a gaming device is to accessfor a play.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein receiving an indicationincludes receiving an indication which of said first and said secondpayout tables a video poker machine is to access for a play and whereinthe plurality of possible outcomes includes combinations of playingcards.
 34. A method comprising: storing a first payout table including afirst plurality of payout amounts, each of the first plurality of payoutamounts corresponding to at least one of a plurality of possibleoutcomes, the first payout table having a first payout amount associatedwith a first outcome, wherein the first payout amount is greater thanzero, the first payout table further having a second payout amountassociated with a second outcome, wherein the second payout amount iszero; storing a second payout table including a second plurality ofpayout amounts, each of the second plurality of payout amountscorresponding to at least one of the plurality of possible outcomes,wherein at least one of the second plurality of payout amounts isgreater than zero when a corresponding one of the first plurality ofpayout amounts is zero, the second payout table having a third payoutamount associated with the first outcome, wherein the third payoutamount is zero, the second payout table having a fourth payout amountassociated with the second outcome, wherein the fourth payout amount isgreater than zero; and receiving an indication which of said first andsaid second payout tables a gaming device is to access for a play. 35.The method of claim 34, wherein receiving an indication includesreceiving an indication which of said first and said second payouttables a video poker machine is to access for a play and wherein theplurality of possible outcomes includes combinations of playing cards.36. A method comprising: storing a first payout table including a firstplurality of payout amounts, each of the first plurality of payoutamounts corresponding to at least one of the plurality of possibleoutcomes, the first payout table having a first payout amount associatedwith a first outcome, wherein the first payout amount is greater thanzero, the first payout table further having a second payout amountassociated with a second outcome, wherein the second payout amount iszero; storing a second payout table including a second plurality ofpayout amounts, each of the second plurality of payout amountscorresponding to at least one of the plurality of possible outcomes,wherein at least one of the second plurality of payout amounts isgreater than zero when a corresponding one of the first plurality ofpayout amounts is zero, the second payout table having a third payoutamount associated with the first outcome, wherein the third payoutamount is zero, the second payout table having a fourth payout amountassociated with the second outcome, wherein the fourth payout amount isgreater than zero; and indicating which of said first and said secondpayout tables a gaming device is to access for a play.
 37. The method ofclaim 36, wherein indicating includes indicating which of said first andsaid second payout tables a video poker machine is to access for a playand wherein the plurality of possible outcomes includes combinations ofplaying cards.
 38. A method comprising: determining a first payout tableincluding a first plurality of payout amounts and a plurality ofoutcomes wherein each of the plurality of outcomes is associated with atleast one of the first plurality of payout amounts; determining a secondpayout table including a second plurality of payout amounts wherein eachof the plurality of outcomes is associated with at least one of thesecond plurality of payout amounts, wherein at least one of the firstplurality of payout amounts associated with a first outcome of theplurality of outcomes is greater than zero if a payout amount of thesecond plurality of payout amounts associated with the first outcome iszero, and wherein at least one of the first plurality of payout amountsassociated with a second outcome of the plurality of outcomes is zero ifa payout amount of the second plurality of payout amounts associatedwith the second outcome is greater than zero; and providing a means fora player to select which of the first and second payout tables thegaming device is to use for determining a payout.
 39. The method ofclaim 38 wherein determining the first and second payout tables includesdetermining information corresponding to a number of coins to be paidthe player.
 40. The method of claim 38 further including storing a wagerand wherein determining the first and second payout tables includedetermining information corresponding to a multiplier by which saidpayout is to be multiplied based upon the wager.
 41. The method of claim38 further comprising: storing a selected payout table; generating arandom number; and accessing the selected payout table based on therandom number.
 42. The method of claim 41 further comprising: storingdata that relates outcomes of the plurality of outcomes to insurancepayout information; and accessing the insurance payout information basedon the random number and an insurance selection.
 43. A gaming deviceoperable to generate one of the plurality of possible outcomes for eachplay initiated thereon, the device comprising: means for storing a firstpayout table including a first plurality of payout amounts, each of thefirst plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least one of theplurality of possible outcomes, wherein each possible outcome has one ofsaid first plurality of payout amounts associated therewith; means forstoring a second payout table including a second plurality of payoutamounts, each of the second plurality of payout amounts corresponding toat least one of the plurality of possible outcomes, wherein eachpossible outcome has one of said second plurality of payout amountsassociated therewith, and wherein at least one of the second pluralityof payout amounts associated with a first particular outcome is greaterthan zero when a corresponding one of said first plurality of payoutamounts for the first particular outcome is zero, and wherein at leastone of the first plurality of payout amounts associated with a secondparticular outcome is greater than zero when a corresponding one of saidsecond plurality of payout amounts for the second particular outcome iszero; and means for indicating which of said first and said secondpayout tables the gaming device is to access for a play.
 44. A computerreadable medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing amethod for operating a gaming device, the method comprising: storing afirst payout table including a first plurality of payout amounts, eachof the first plurality of payout amounts corresponding to at least oneof the plurality of possible outcomes, wherein each possible outcome hasone of said first plurality of payout amounts associated therewith;storing a second payout table including a second plurality of payoutamounts, each of the second plurality of payout amounts corresponding toat least one of the plurality of possible outcomes, wherein eachpossible outcome has one of said second plurality of payout amountsassociated therewith, and wherein at least one of the second pluralityof payout amounts associated with a first particular outcome is greaterthan zero when a corresponding one of said first plurality of payoutamounts for the first particular outcome is zero, and wherein at leastone of the first plurality of payout amounts associated with a secondparticular outcome is greater than zero when a corresponding one of saidsecond plurality of payout amounts for the second particular outcome iszero; and receiving an indication which of said first and said secondpayout tables the gaming device is to access for a play.
 45. A methodcomprising: storing payout information for slot machine outcomes,wherein outcomes include at least one selected reel position on each ofa plurality of reels, wherein the payout information is correlated to asubset of the outcomes, and wherein the subset consists of outcomes inwhich each selected reel position of each reel differs from each otherselected reel position of each other reel; and generating, via aprocessor, a resulting outcome.
 46. A method comprising: storing payoutinformation for slot machine outcomes, wherein outcomes include at leastone selected reel position on each of a plurality of virtual reels of avideo slot machine, wherein the payout information is correlated to asubset of the outcomes, and wherein the subset includes all outcomes inwhich each selected reel position of each reel differs from each otherselected reel position of each other reel; generating a resultingoutcome; and displaying the resulting outcome on the virtual reels ofthe video slot machine.